Written Answers Nos. 180-194
180. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice when a decision will be made in relation to an application for a visa submitted by a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in making a decision on the application especially given the very urgent need for care workers in the nursing home in question; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36381/22]
View answerThe visa application for the person referred to by the Deputy was created on 14 May 2022. The supporting documentation was received in the Manila office on 25 May 2022.
All applications are processed as speedily as possible. However, it is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of their receipt in Dublin. While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for my Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.
The applicant will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached by a Visa Officer.
The Dublin Visa Office is currently processing employment visas applications received, in Dublin, on 23 May 2022. Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office can be checked at the following webpage on my Department's immigration website, which is updated each Tuesday:
www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie), which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
181. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice when a decision will be made in relation to an application for a visa submitted by a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in making a decision on the application especially given the very urgent need for care workers in the nursing home in question; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36382/22]
View answerThe visa application for the person referred to by the Deputy was created on 11 May 2022. Supporting documentation was received in the Manila office on 25 May 2022.
All applications are processed as speedily as possible. However, it is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of their receipt in Dublin. While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for my Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.
The applicant is advised not to pay for airline or other travel tickets without having first been issued with a visa. The applicant will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached by a Visa Officer.
The Dublin Visa Office is currently processing applications for employment visas received, in Dublin, on 23 May 2022. Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office can be checked at the following link which is updated each Tuesday:
www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/
182. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice when a decision will be made in relation to an application for a visa submitted by a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in making a decision on the application especially given the very urgent need for care workers in the nursing home in question; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36383/22]
View answerThe visa application for the person referred to by the Deputy was created on 12 May 2022. Supporting documentation was received in the Manila office on 25 May 2022.
All applications are processed as speedily as possible. However, it is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt in Dublin. While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for my Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.
The applicant will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached by a Visa Officer.
The Dublin Visa Office is currently processing employment visas applications received, in Dublin, on 23 May 2022. Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office can be checked at the following webpage on my Department's immigration website, which is updated each Tuesday:
www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/
183. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí by rank attached to each divisional roads policing unit as of 1 January 2021 and 28 June 2022, in tabular form.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36472/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. The allocation of Garda resources is made in light of identified operational demands. This includes decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use. I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to them, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the attached spreadsheet sets out the number of Gardaí attached to Roads Policing duty at 31 December 2020 and at the 31 May 2022, the latest date for which figures are available.
In the interest of transparency, a detailed breakdown of Garda numbers is available on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána. Information on the Garda workforce, Garda staff and other Garda statistics are available from the following link:
www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Garda_Workforce
184. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons who have been detained when arriving into Ireland and charged with travelling on a fake United States passport in the past four years in tabular form. [36473/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, every State has a duty to protect its borders and to refuse entry to people not entitled to enter the State. This is a fundamental exercise of State sovereignty, which is necessary to protect the security of the State and to prevent illegal immigration. The exercise of powers in this area is at all times subject to the law and to respect for individual rights.
The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department has responsibility for front-line immigration duties at Dublin Airport only. Other ports of entry are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).
The BMU team in Dublin Airport have had no detections of false United States passports in the past four years.
I have sought the information requested from the Garda Commissioner regarding the other ports of entry to the State, and I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
185. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice the status of the work of Operation Citizen in Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36487/22]
View answerIn line with goal one of Justice Plan 2022 to tackle crime, enhance national security and transform policing, I have been informed that An Garda Síochána are undertaking a number of operations in Dublin, including Operation Citizen, as part of the government’s overall aim to ensure that people are safe and feel safe in their own community.
As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes responsibility for the organisation's approaches to preventing and investigating criminal activity. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that Operation Citizen commenced in Dublin city centre on 22 October 2021. It was initiated to reassure the citizens, visitors and the business community in Dublin City Centre that it is a safe place in which to visit, socialise, conduct business and enjoy its amenities. The aim of this operation is to deliver an enhanced high visibility policing presence in Dublin city centre on a daily basis. Operation Citizen focuses on collaborative community and stakeholder engagement, as the positive use of the Dublin City centre public realm is not just an issue for An Garda Síochána.
This operation places a particular focus on anti-social behaviour, public order and quality of life issues, assaults and high-volume crimes, and involves increased visible policing, particularly at key locations. In addition to Garda resources from the Dublin Metropolitan Region North Central and South Central divisions, Operation Citizen is supported by resources from the wider Dublin Region, Garda Roads Policing Units, the Garda National Public Order Unit and Garda Operational Support Units (Mounted Unit and Dog Unit).
The Garda authorities advise that there are in excess of 100 Gardaí patrolling Dublin city centre each weekend evening. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening from 4pm, up to 30 additional Gardaí are deployed specifically on foot patrols in the city centre, resourced from outside the two core city centre divisions. Every Friday and Saturday evening, a Garda National Public Order Unit of 25 personnel (on mobile patrols) patrol the city centre. In excess of 500 additional hours policing are provided each week.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there have been a total of 3,252 incidents recorded under Operation Citizen covering the period 1 January to 20 June 2022. The total figure includes 1,131 crime and 2,121 non-crime incidents.
An Garda Síochána continues to positively engage with key stakeholders such as Dublin City Council, business groups, the hospitality sector and voluntary bodies in addition to the formal interaction within the Dublin City Centre Business Forum and the High Level Street Issues Committee chaired by the Lord Mayor of Dublin.
As the Deputy may also be aware, in January this year, the Garda authorities launched Operation Saul to further support, enhance and strengthen the strategic and operational objectives of Operation Citizen. The aim of Operation Saul is to provide a safe environment for commuters utilising public transport services in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR).
In addition to the above, Operation Irene commenced in the DMR on 1 June, 2022 and continues until 31 August, 2022. The aim of this operation is to combat under-age alcohol consumption and the consumption of alcohol in public places in the DMR, in a targeted operation through the enforcement of legislation regulating the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol and other associated legislation.
Finally, Operation Limmat is the DMR’s assault in public and public order reduction strategy. The operation promotes a pro-arrest and early-investigation approach to incidents of assault, together with driving high-visibility policing in public places to act as a deterrent to prevent and reduce assaults and public order offences in the DMR.
186. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice the actions that the Garda Commissioner is taking to tackle anti-social behaviour in cities and towns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36488/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including all operational policing matters, under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). As Minister, I play no role in the detection, prevention, investigation or prosecution of any criminal offences.
Anti-social behaviour (ASB) is not, in itself, a singular offence and covers a range of situations and offences. There are a number of complex underlying, interlinked, causes for ASB. I am informed that An Garda Síochána has a range of operations, both nationally and within the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) aimed at reducing ASB and improving feelings of community safety.
All Garda members have a role to play in reducing anti-social behaviour through community engagement and enforcement of the relevant legislation.
National operations include the following:
- Operation Soteria is An Garda Síochána’s national assault reduction strategy and is in place to ensure a reduction of assaults in public, reduce fear of violence within communities, prioritise assault investigations and focus on problem areas and assault hotspots.
- Operation Tara's purpose is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks, at all levels - international, national and local - involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale and supply of controlled drugs.
- Operation Twin Tracks is a community engagement and rail safety policing initiative conducted by Gardaí in partnership with other public transportation stakeholders with the purpose of providing high visibility policing of rail and light rail transport within the DMR and nationwide, and to deliver crime prevention advice.
Within the DMR, there are a number of specific operations:
- Operation Citizen continues to reassure the citizens, visitors and business community in Dublin City Centre that it is a safe place in which to visit, socialise, conduct business and enjoy its amenities, through an enhanced high visibility policing presence in Dublin City Centre on a daily basis.
- Operation Saul involves the effective management and planned delivery of all working resources in the DMR to ensure the delivery of both an overt and covert policing response on board bus, Luas, Dart and train services to effectively tackle anti-social behaviour, public order and criminal activity, on a daily basis.
- Operation Limmat is the DMR’s assault in public and public order reduction strategy, which promotes a pro-arrest and early-investigation approach to incidents of assault together with driving high-visibility policing in public places to act as a deterrent to prevent and reduce assaults and public order offences in the DMR.
- Operation Irene will deliver high-visibility policing across each Division in the Dublin Metropolitan Region to address alcohol-related public disorder in public places.
- Operation Boardwalk is an operation designed to provide increased high-visibility patrolling of the Liffey Boardwalk, Bachelor’s Walk and Eden Quay which involves proactive engagement with groups of youths and persons engaged in public consumption of alcohol.
- Operation Pier's purpose is to target ASB and street level drug dealing in the Temple Bar and adjoining areas.
- Operation Spire targets the sale and supply of controlled drugs in the O’Connell Street area and its immediate environs.
187. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice the enterprises, investment funds and real estate investment trusts which have received investment through the Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme since the programme was established by name, the number of investments and value of investment in tabular form. [36507/22]
View answer188. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 394 of 23 June 2022, if she will provide a breakdown of the number of Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme applicants who invested in social housing since the programme was established by year in tabular form; the names of the companies that were invested in; and the value of each investment. [36508/22]
View answer189. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 394 of 23 June 2022, if she will provide a breakdown of the number of Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme applicants who invested in healthcare since the programme was established by year in tabular form; the names of the companies that were invested in; and the value of each investment. [36509/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 187 to 189, inclusive, together.
The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced by Government Decision in April 2012, to encourage inward investment and to create business and employment opportunities in the State. The Programme was introduced at a time when Ireland was going through a very significant economic downturn and Departments were tasked with initiating innovative programmes to attract investment and create employment as part of the Action Plan for Jobs 2012. Key to the programme is that the investments are beneficial for Ireland, generate or sustain employment and are generally in the public interest.
The criteria applied when assessing applications under the IIP is set out in the guidance published on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-live-in-ireland/i-want-to-invest-in-ireland/
All projects which IIP applicants are investing in are also examined in great detail by an Independent Evaluation Committee comprising key officials from my Department, the Department of Finance, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland who have appropriate corporate expertise in this area. This examination process involves an assessment of the commercial viability of the project; employment outcomes associated with the proposed investment; and the overall benefit to the Irish State. The Committee makes a determination as to whether a project is suitable for IIP investment and, if deemed suitable, the individual application will be submitted to me for final approval.
My Department does not currently publish the details of individual approved IIP investments. This information is commercially sensitive and cannot be released as it would give rise to individual investors being identified. However, this matter is currently under consideration.
Investment in Social housing and Healthcare is facilitated through the Enterprise and Investment Fund options to the IIP scheme. I can confirm that almost 800 applications have been approved for Social Housing and Healthcare investment. IIP applications relating to Social Housing may include developers who are seeking to build and to either sell or rent units to County Councils or an Approved Housing Body or units owned and developed by an Approved Housing Body.
A total of six individuals have invested in the REIT option since the IIP commenced in 2012. A total of 56 individuals invested in the Mixed Investment and Bond options since the IIP commenced in 2012. Both of these options were suspended in 2016. A total of 228 applications have been approved under the Investment Fund option and some of these approved applications will be in the Social Housing and Healthcare sector.
190. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice if a refusal issued to three Ukrainian family members (details supplied) under the European Union Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC) will be reviewed; if officials will take into account that a fourth member of this family who is a minor was granted permission and that the refusal issued to their parents and younger sister will have a huge impact on the family unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36542/22]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that as set out in the European Union Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC), Temporary Protection applies to the following groups of people who have had to flee Ukraine due to the invasion by Russia:
1. Ukrainian nationals who were residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022;
2. Nationals of a third country (other than Ukraine) or a stateless person who would have benefited from international protection (for example: Refugee status) or an equivalent national protection status in Ukraine and were residing there before 24 February 2022;
3. Family members of persons covered by a) and b), where their family already existed in Ukraine, prior to 24 February.
Family members include a spouse or partner, unmarried minor children of either of them, and their other close dependent family relatives who have been living with them as part of the family unit before 24 February 2022.
I can confirm to the Deputy that the persons referred to will have their applications for temporary protection re-considered. Officials from my Department will make direct contact with them and invite them to attend at a Ukrainian Support Centre at their convenience.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie) which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
191. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice the number of Scott service medals awarded to members of An Garda Síochána in County Tipperary in each of the years 2016 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36547/22]
View answerThe Scott Medal is the highest award that can be bestowed by the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána and is awarded for ‘most exceptional bravery and heroism involving the risk of life in the execution of duty’.
Scott Medal nominees are selected from recommendations that are provided by the Garda Divisions on an annual basis to the adjudication board, which is comprised of two Deputy Commissioners and an Assistant Commissioner. The Board decides on the class of Medal (Gold, Silver or Bronze) to be awarded due to the level of 'bravery and valour' exhibited by the member.
Nominations in respect of serving Garda members are submitted to the adjudication board by the relevant Divisional Officer (Chief Superintendent). In the cases of posthumous awards or awards to retired members, family members or colleagues may put forward a request for nomination. The nomination then goes to the Divisional Officer for their consideration.
I have been advised by the Garda authorities that Scott Medal award ceremonies were held in 2016, 2017 and 2021. No ceremonies were held in the years 2018-2020, or to date in 2022.
I am further advised that 1 Silver Scott Medal was awarded to a member in Tipperary in 2017.
For the Deputy's information, the list of all Scott Medal recipients is publicly available on the Garda website.
www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-history/the-scott-medal/scott-medal-awards-25-may-2022.pdf
192. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the current waiting times for citizenship applications by EEA and non-EEA applicants in tabular form. [36549/22]
View answerI am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to those who apply for it and my Department continued to accept and process citizenship applications throughout the pandemic and during all levels of public health restrictions.
For a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
In addition, the combined impact of the 2019 High Court judgment in the Jones case and the necessary health restrictions arising from the pandemic, has unfortunately resulted in the processing time for standard applications increasing.
The current average processing time for naturalisation applications is 22 months. However it should be noted that, last year, my Department made 11,512 citizenship decisions, which is the highest level since 2015. To date this year, 7,967 citizenship decisions have been made. A significant effort has been made by my Department to issue decisions on the oldest applications in the system.
As previously advised to the Deputy, statistics are not maintained by my Department to provide for a breakdown between EEA and non-EEA applicants. However, to be of some assistance to the Deputy, I have provided in the table below the average processing time in months for citizenship applications for the years 2015 – 2021 and to date in 2022.
The citizenship application process is reviewed on an ongoing basis to continually improve customer service quality. Feedback from applicants is taken on board and, as a result, a much more simplified, customer-focused and streamlined mechanism for applicants to provide their proofs of residence has recently been introduced.
To further speed up the processing of applications, a number of digitisation measures have also been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, to improve service to our customers and reduce waiting times. Additional staff have also been assigned to the citizenship team.
Since the beginning of this year, new applicants for citizenship no longer have to submit their original passport with their application. Instead, they can provide a full colour copy of their entire passport, including the front and back covers. This change in practice is welcomed by our customers and is also freeing up valuable staff time that up to now has been engaged in returning passports to applicants.
|
Year |
Number of Applications decided |
Average Processing Time (Months) |
|
2015 |
12,869 |
7 |
|
2016 |
11,081 |
6 |
|
2017 |
9,190 |
7 |
|
2018 |
11,139 |
10 |
|
2019 |
9,319 |
12 |
|
2020 |
3,551 |
13 |
|
2021 |
11,512 |
23 |
|
2022 |
7,967 |
22 |
193. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide assistance to a person (details supplied) for a visa to re-enter Ireland with the rest of their family. [36587/22]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy created an online Long Stay Join Family (Irish national)(Spouse) visa application on 16 February 2022. The supporting documentation was received on 2 March 2022. This application was received in the Dublin Visa Office for further processing on 11 April 2022.
Long Stay Join Family visa applications are processed in accordance with the guidelines set out in the my Department's Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification, which can be viewed at:
www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Policy-document-on-Non-EEA-family-reunification.pdf
The Policy Document has a business target of six months for the processing of visa applications for family reunification for immediate family members of Irish citizens and Category A sponsors, such as Critical Skills Employment Permit Holders.
The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification.
The Dublin Visa Office is currently processing applications of this type received on 28 February 2022. Applicants can keep up-to-date with the processing date by checking the following webpage on my Department's immigration website, which is updated weekly:
www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/
Applicants are advised not to pay for airline or other travel tickets without having first been issued with a visa. The person concerned will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached by a Visa Officer.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie), which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
194. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí currently stationed at each garda station in counties Longford and Westmeath. [36634/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
For the Deputy's information the attached spreadsheet, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Gardaí attached to Roscommon/Longford Division and Westmeath Division at the end of May 2022, the latest date for which figures are available.
The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with the unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2022 of over €2 billion.
I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to them, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.
In the interests of transparency, further detailed information in relation to Garda numbers can be found on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána, and includes the number of Gardaí by station across the whole country.
The information can be found at the following link:
www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures
